While Richard Branson awed us with his Virgin Galactic sapce craft, a Japanese company is also in hope of getting the space tourism industry off the ground- building a space elevator by 2050. You hear right, an elevator that brings you a trip to space.
The concept is to shuttle passengers 36,000km above the Earth by 2050, using carbon nanotubes, which are 20 times stronger than steel, to produce the cables required for elevator. Travelling at a speed of 200km/h, it would take probably a week to reach the terminal station. I cannot decide if the ride is fast or slow, but it better be comfortable. Imagine being trapped in an elevator with 29 other people for a week with no scenery (I will assume it is pitch black). I wonder too, how long the passengers are allowed to stay in space. It better be worth the 2 weeks of travel!
Of all uncertainties, one thing for sure- it will cost a bomb.
Nonetheless, if it fails, it is still a beautiful dream, isn't it?
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